Laboratory of Physiology of Marine Mammals

Scientific Head: Boroda Andrey Viktorovich, senior researcher, Cand. Sci. Biol., has managed the Laboratory since the establishment in April 2024.

The laboratory includes 9 staff members.

The Youth Laboratory of Physiology of Marine Mammals was created on April 22, 2024 as part of the national Science and Universities project. The Laboratory’s activity is aimed at studying the features of cell physiology in marine mammals due to their living in the aquatic environment.

Main fields of research:

1. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of marine mammals’ adaptations to aquatic life;
2. functions of marine mammal tissues and organs in normal and pathological conditions;
3. development of cell models for marine mammal organs.

Physiology is the science studying the functions of living biological systems (individual cells, organs, organ systems, and the body as a whole), the processes occurring in them, and the mechanisms of their regulation. Marine mammals are a unique group of animals that have partially or completely adapted to aquatic life. Traditionally, marine mammals include cetaceans (Cetacea), sirenians (Sirenia), and some representatives of the order Carnivora such as true and eared seals, walrus, sea otter, and polar bear. Marine mammals comprise about 130 species globally, of which 46 live in waters of Russia and are protected by international and Russian laws.

Marine mammals form the most important links in the ecosystems of lakes, seas, and oceans. The degree and methods of organisms’ adaptations to life in the water vary between the orders. Their salt and water regulation needs are satisfied by impenetrable skin, highly efficient kidneys, and modified tear ducts. The maintenance of internal body temperature is provided by the thick layer of subcutaneous fat or fur and also by the circulatory system adaptations. To find, capture, and eat prey, marine mammals have evolved unusual teeth and organs for echolocation. Compared to terrestrial mammals, their heart is enlarged to move more blood faster, and the heart rate can drop to only a few beats per minute. Due to their physiological characteristics, as well as the high position in the food chain, many species have become more sensitive to toxic compounds (such as heavy metals, chlorine- and phenol-containing compounds, and natural phycotoxins) than terrestrial mammals. Despite the active interest of scientists in this group of marine animals in the last few decades, many physiological features of their cells, tissues, and organs that provide their unique adaptations remain unknown to date.